In it to End it!

Wow...hard to believe my big weekend has come and gone! Sooooo many emotions; tears of joy, sadness, compassion, pain and accomplishment! The people who set up this event year after year are a group to be admired; that's for sure! Just prior to leaving for the mountains, I was surprised to find out that my niece, Kory, and her friend, Erika, were flying in from Minnesota to be my ultimate cheering section. And that, my friends, they were! I can't describe what it's like after being 13 or so miles into the walk to come around a corner and find your entire family cheering at the top of their lungs for...you! Did it make me cry? Of course...everything does! But, it was the most amazing feeling ever to feel and experience their love and support on this most incredible journey! I was also blessed to get to know my teammates on a more intimate level. Our one breast cancer survivor, Brooke, shared her story with me between miles 5 and 7. What an incredible and courageous woman and how lucky I am to call her my friend! I learned new things about my friend and neighbor, Tricia even though I see her almost every day! We were side by side pretty much from mile 5 to mile 13. Then there was Jen. She shared her own heartbreaking story of being widowed at the young age of 23 and how she and her kids continue to make it! My time with Julia gave me some insight of what it's like to stay home and manage a household of 4 children. She keeps her family going while also finding the time to support her friend, Brooke, through chemo and radiation all while also helping her family whenever they needed her! And lastly, I thoroughly enjoyed my time with Shawna. Not having met her prior to this event, who knew that I would make such a great friend who only lives one neighborhood north of me. She is a nurse and a mom to 2 young girls. Since her 2 fell in love with my 2, we have found a new pair of babysitters! Shawna and I walked the majority of the race together and probably left knowing more about each other than a lot of people in our lives. How often do you walk 39 miles with someone and not get to know them! She is a dear friend who will always hold a special place in my heart! By the time the race ended, we were sore and tired! While I expected to be sore, I had no idea I would feel so crippled from the waist down. When we retired to our tents (yes, I said tent!) after the first leg of 26 miles, I had no idea if I was going to be able to even walk the next day, let alone do an additional 13 miles. In some miraculous way, we did it!

Thank you all for your love and support! Whether you donated to this great cause, thought of me during those two days, said a healing prayer for anyone who has fought the ugly fight of cancer, flew into Colorado to be a personal cheerleader, helped my kids make signs to keep us going, walked with me during training or during the event, supported someone else you know, shared a pedicure with me after the event or just took the time to ask how it all went...I could not have done it without you! Again...thank you! What a life~changing weekend!

My entire experience is dedicated to my most favorite person in the world, my Grandma Olga! I know that she was watching from above and cheering right along with everyone else. I also know that when I crossed that finish line, she gave me one of her classic standing ovations! I love you, Gram! Thank you for being my everything!